If you've come here for a happy story filled with jubilance, romance or beatification, you've come to the wrong place. What you're going to read is not for the light-hearted, filled with perfidy, cupidity, and austereness. It is likely to contain dark scenes including death, murder, corruption, and pretty much anything you don't want to think about. Head this warning and brace yourself or leave.
Key:
{Anything inside these brackets is what Michael's thinking.}
[These are for anyone else's thoughts, it will be made clear in the story]
'Simply a quote, a dialogue'
Michael is often perceived as a cold, emotionless person, often being mistreated because of it. All the students at school hated him, writing on his desk, shoving him in the halls and telling him to meet them after school with harmful intent. He, of course, would never show, earning even more trouble the next day. Most people would be miserable in this situation, but Michael wasn't even fazed, all he cared about was going home to his loving family.
'I'm home!' Michael shouts to his gleeful mother, Elizabeth. 'Hey, Michael, dinner will be done soon, and Jamie needs you in the backyard.' Liz says 'On my way!' Michael shouts loud enough so Jamie can hear. 'Michael, please, no need to yell.' 'Sorry' Michael apologizes. He heads to the backyard where he sees Jamie working on what appears to be a picnic table. 'Hey, sport, give your old man a hand and hold this for me, will ya?' Michael holds the board so that it can be drilled in place. 'I thought we could use a picnic table every once in a while, you know how much your mother loves them.' Michael smiles, remembering all the picnics they've all had together. Jamie hands Michael the drill and holds a board in place. Michael drills the pilots and puts in the screws. They do this for all the other boards. 'Would you look at that?' Jamie gloats 'Are we going to paint it?' 'Tomorrow. It looks like it's about to rain. Here. Help me put a tarp on it.' He says, handing Michael some bungees. They put the tarp on and head inside.
'Dinner's done!' Liz had already finished preparing the table, so the boys sit down, thanking Liz for the meal. Shortly after, Liz sits down, and asks Michael 'How was school?' 'Filled with derisive and acrimonious diatribe.' Michael replies. Liz sighs, glad relieved the bullying hasn't worsened. She straightens herself, excited to tell the boys her plan to help Michael with his bullying issue. 'I think you'll be glad to hear I found something that I think might help.' 'The infinity gauntlet?' Michael immediately replies. 'Uh, no, I found an afterschool program for you, the Literature club!' Liz exclaims 'School's the root of the problem, why would I want to continue to stay there?' Michael instantly criticizes. 'Don't worry, I talked to the members and all of them are really nice, the area is quiet and they are all really good friends, so it's a healthy environment for you, it's perfect!' Liz says persuasively. Michael, realizing that Liz put in a lot of effort, finally accepts her offer. 'Okay, I'll check it out, but no promises.' 'That's good enough for me.' She says merrily. And so, the happy family enjoyed their dinner, filled with chatter and good-hearted jokes.
*Meep Meep Meep Meep Meep*
'Alright, I'm up.' Michael says, muting the alarm. After he stretches for a bit, he proceeds to head to the bathroom, freshening up before breakfast. 'Breakfast will be done in a few minutes!' Liz tells him. 'Okay, I'm almost done!' After finishing up, he heads downstairs. He sees the table set with two plates and Liz putting the food on them. 'Where's Jamie's plate?' 'Oh, he had to go to work early today, it's just me and you this morning.' Liz said still as jubilant as before. 'Oh, okay…' Michael says, slightly dejected. 'What's wrong, am I not good enough?' Liz says jokingly. 'Nothing like that, I just like when it's all of us…' Liz noticed he was going to say more, but doesn't pester him. They both sit down and enjoy their relatively silent breakfast. They both clean up the table and work together on the dishes. Once Michael fully prepared for school, he hugs Liz goodbye and heads to school.
At school, you can almost always look at Michael and see him lost in thought, almost always pondering a new scientific theory. Normally, if a student were not paying attention, he or she would suffer some form of consequence, but Michael's case was special. He was luminary, above what was being taught, so the teachers never bothered him. They let him think, hoping this would allow him to grow into something amazing.
Despite his tendency to get lost in his cogitations, he always makes sure to listen at the end of class, so that he doesn't miss the teacher's recapitalization, just in case there is an assignment. In doing so, he is often able to complete his project before his commute home. Today there happens to be no assignments, leaving Michael to his thoughts once again.
In seemingly no time, school's over. 'Huh, that's funny, I don't even remember eating lunch. Well, time to go home... Oh~ yeah~, the Literature Club. I think that's room C-3…' Michael heads to said room to find that his memory did indeed serve him right. Michael simply walks in and looks for the person Michael thinks is most "president-Like." As a result, he ended up waltzing to the unsuspecting young woman with hazelnut hair and iridescent, green eyes. 'Hello, you're the president, Monika, right? My mother, Liz was here yesterday…' Michael says. 'Oh my goodness, I totally forgot we expecting a new member today, you must be Michael, right? 'Yeah' Michael says, mumbling about how he never said he would join. 'What was that?' 'Nothing' 'O~kay then, in any case, let me introduce you to the rest of the club members.' She points to the shortest girl, she happens to have almost neon pink hair, and eyes to match. 'This is Natsuki, the baker of the club…' Next, she gestures to the tallest person in the club, a young woman with a shy demeanor, long purple hair, and… eyes to match. 'This is Yuri, the classiest in the club' She then directs Michael's attention to the most beatific person Michael's ever seen, a young woman with pink hair, and blue eyes. 'This is Sayori, the club's sunshine' Sayori beams in response. Monika then introduces the only other male in the room, a plaintive-looking guy with brown hair and amber eyes. 'And last but not least, this is Tom, our…' Tom immediately looks dejected, but quickly turns it around with a quip response. 'I'm the advisor obviously.' He jokes 'I listen to everyone's rants, whether they're looking for advice or just need to vent, I'm here to listen.' He says, is a more serious tone. 'Yeah, and together, we make the Literature Club.' Monika finishes.
All of the members smile with an amount of sincerity that leaves Michael nonplussed. After their little scene, they begin to sit at a conglomeration of tables, forming one larger table. 'What are you waiting for? Come on.' Monika says, gesturing to the only seat left unattended, the one next to her. For any normal person, this wouldn't be a problem, however; Michael was a great many things, and normal is not one of them. 'Uh, o-kay...' He finally takes his seat, moving his chair over nonchalantly, giving him some extra move. Unfortunately, Monika ended up scooting over in order to give Natsuki room to put the cupcakes in the center, resulting in the two being elbow to elbow.
Natsuki passes out cupcakes as Yuri offers tea to everyone. 'Is this something that you guys always do?' Michael questions. Monika answers 'Only when we expect a new member' 'Oh~' Michael replies, leaving an awkward silence. Michael sits comfortably, unaware of the awkward scene he had created. Eventually, Natsuki breaks the ice, 'Well, are you guys going to try the cupcakes or what?' In response, everyone then takes a bite, showering Natsuki with accolade afterward. They began complementing anything from the cute little book designs to the one of a kind flavor.
After their hearty snack, Michael is left to watch as the members head to their bags, each of them removing a single piece of paper. Michael, unaware of the purpose of their actions, simply continues to observe them. He notices a tension in their actions, causing him to believe they're uncomfortable with their actions. Still unsure, Michael continues to follow them as they begin swapping papers. Michael immediately realizes they're reviewing each other's poems. As Michael doesn't have a poem, he finds it best to just sit tight as they complete their activity.
Eventually, Monika realizes, no one clued Michael in about what was going on. She walks over from her desk. 'Oh my goodness, no one told you what we're doing, you're really easy to forget about, you know that?' 'Just kidding' 'I don't have any poems on me.' Michael replies, unamused. 'O-Oh, O-kay, well then… I guess I'll just…' Monika gesture to the other members. 'Okay,' Michael replies, understanding that she means she's going to continue sharing her poems.
Finally, everyone finishes reading their poems, and Monika sends everyone home. 'Hey, you're coming back right? … I never really asked if you're joining…' Monika asks, suddenly shy. 'Yeah, seems nice, I'll be back.' Michael replies confidently. 'Oh, good! I was worried I rubbed you the wrong way because you weren't talking much and I made a few mistakes… and…' Michael, sensing this is a soft spot of hers, gives her some consolation. 'Don't worry, you did fine. I just talk don't much.' 'Oh, okay, well then, see you tomorrow.' Monika replies, smiling warmly. Michael simply responds with a relaxed and improper salute (American) in place of a wave.
Michael walks home, following the silent, and eerie road, listening to the leaves crush beneath his feet. The ground is barren, the sky is stark, the crisp wind is cold and the path looks bleak. Michael puts on his hood and continues walking until he reaches the Tree of Broken Sorrows. He listens as the crows caw, the sky darkens and the air whistles.
Many things contribute to what makes something frightening. Temperature, noise, lighting, population, and location all affect the emotion of an environment. And because of this, fall is often considered scary, or frightening, and is the reason there are many myths and urban legends about crows. The crow is most often pictured in fall, typically on a barren tree, representing a particularly unfortunate and portent event. The crow is so often considered a bad omen, that a group of crows is called a "murder," a word Michael is familiar with all too well.
'How was the club?' Liz questions. 'Ehh, it was alright, it's peaceful and from what I can tell, the people are nice enough.' Michael replies. 'Are you going to join?' 'Yeah, why not?' His parents, happy that their son is engaging in interpersonal activities, celebrate. They order pizza, Michael's favorite food, engaging in chipper conversation, filled with a bombardment of questions aimed at poor ol' Michael.
After their exuberant dinner, they all get ready for bed, except for Michael that is, he still has to write a poem.
'O-kay, what should I write about?'
A/N: Okay, that was chapter one. In case you were wondering, I am stopping progress on the other stories, sorry.